***COMPLETE SEASONS 1-3 AVAILABLE NOW!*** Series Summary: Follow the life of 1968 New Bordeaux Massacre accomplice, Dorothy Vera Jetson, book keeper of the late Lincoln Clay. She provides a detailed account of the infamous killing spree that lead to the death of notorious mob boss, Sal Marcano; and the events of that decade that lead her to be the millionaire mastermind she is, today.
Summary: The fallout from John Donovan’s testimony on the New Bordeaux Massacre: John Donovan has been added to the FBI’s Most Wanted List; Nicki and Dottie are not guaranteed that Don Danna will not try to kill them; With the opening of the New Bordeaux Boardwalk, Dottie makes a deal.
The news reports that police are looking for John Donovan. At least he got out of the building. I don’t understand any of this. I was prepared to die. It just didn’t happen.
Knowing the Don, he probably still wants to off us. It makes me afraid to leave the penthouse. The day after John shot the senator, I met Jason in his office.
“Dot.” Jason says at his door. “Come in.”
“Thanks.”
“How are you?”
“I slept with one eye open, last night.” He sighs.
“What are we gonna do now? They say that you’re free to go.”
“You and I both have sense enough to know that’s not real.” I say, “I am going to go see Danna. The plan stands as it were before.”
“If they off you, they go down?”
“Exactly.”
“I’ll make sure Travis sticks to it.”
“I think he will.”
“So are you on your way there, now?”
“I am.”
“Good luck.” As I start to leave, Jason stops me. “A man came by with a package for me.” He says. “It’s from John Donovan and the letter is addressed to you.” I look at the envelope and there isn’t any indication it’s from John. “John has a code name.”
“Okay.”
A note from John Donovan? I can’t wait to read it. Quietly, I went into my office and locked the door.
Had to do it. That should keep them off your back for awhile. Be seeing ya’
J.B
“Oh god.” I suck in a breath from tears. John didn’t throw me under the bus because he sacrificed himself. I never understood what about Kennedy’s murder caused him to do that. He is risking his freedom for the rest of his life. Of course, there is no way to contact him, ever again.
When I get back upstairs, I see bags packed by the door.
“Going somewhere?”
“Yes, we are.” Nicki says, “Danna still wants to off us.”
“I figured.”
“We have to go, Dottie. If we want to live.”
“Leave New Bordeaux?”
“Yes. We both have enough money saved.”
“No.”
“What?”
“No.” I say. “Don’t get me wrong. I agree, you should leave. You should do the things that you’ve always wanted to do.”
“Where are you gonna go?”
“I’m gonna stay and fight.”
“Is this...really?” Frustrated, she walks away from me.
“Yes, I want to be here.”
“Dottie, if you do this...it would be making me stay and fight with you.” She holds my face. I pull away.
“No. Nicki, you deserve to be somewhere you don’t have to hide.” I say, “You’re not happy. Go make yourself happy.”
She takes a seat. In realizing the weight of all this, she cries.
“Nicki, don’t blow this. If you stay, your life will be figuratively--- and maybe physically over.” My hands find her shoulders. “Do not resign this time. I hear San Francisco is nice at this time of year.”
I won’t forget how red her face was, as she looked up at me.
“How could you be this cold? I always knew you could be cold. I never thought...it could happen to me.” Me either. I try to swallow my tears.
“Did you think your death couldn’t happen to you, either?”
Nicki gets up and heads to the bedroom. Angry and devastated, she continues to pack her clothes. With a pout, I plopped in my seat. I sat in silence as she rustled around while gathering her items.
“So this is goodbye.” She stops in front of me. I let out a breath and stand in front of her. I’m expecting some good bye kiss, or something.
“Nice to know you?” I extend my hand. Nicki responds by hitting me with a small, yet blunt, object. I drop to the ground. My eyesight is blurry, but I can see she has a gun.
“That was for Alma.”
She points the gun at me. Nicki can’t do it. She lowers the gun in defeat. “Everyone who crosses your path ends up a fucking casualty.”
After she leaves, I took some time to think. I am going over what I will say to Danna. I paced the halls of the penthouse, beating myself up. What I wouldn’t give to have the old team, back together. It was so simple then.
Frustrated, I let out a final scream that rings through the downtown district.
I will end this.
“Dottie, Dottie. You in there?” I hear someone say over my head. Jason and Ray are in the penthouse. Was I dreaming?
“Yes. Jeez.”
“What happened?” Jason helps me stand.
“Is Nicki here?”
“No.” Jason looks around.
“Nicki left.”
Ray responds with a laugh.
“Wait a minute, this is too good, Nicki left...without you?”
“I asked her to.”
“But you wanna stay?” Ray is amused.
“What do you want Ray?”
“Hey, I’m not armed.” Ray points to Jason. “He already checked me. I want to talk to you.”
“I won’t leave you alone with him.”
“It’s alright.”
“I’ll be in the kitchen.” Jason nods.
“Tough son of a bitch, that guy is.”
“What do you want, Ray?” My head is killing me.
“I’m here to warn ya’. Danna wanted me to whack you that day.” He says, “he wants to put ‘68 behind us. You should have left with Nicki.”
“Great.”
“He’s never been in as deep as he is, now.”
“Why are you trying to help me?”
“I see the value in you. You make money. At the very least, your business brings people here so we can make money.” He says, “lord knows we lost a lot of good men this year.” He says, “I’ll keep the boys off ya...but you don’t have long.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Work your magic on the Don.” He says, “Make him an offer he can’t refuse. I’ve made the case for you.”
“Alright.” I pause. I guess it’s now or never. “Take me to the Don.”
“You want me to escort you?”
“You can say you caught me. That way, I know when I find him---no one is gonna gun me down.”
“Fine. Have it your way.”
The car ride is silent as we ride to the Don. Ray finally speaks up
“You know, if I make it out---I’ll owe you for this, some day.”
“I’m counting on it.” He nods. “Good luck.”
“What are you doing here?” Morty asks, as he comes out of the Don’s office.
“She’s got a death wish.”
“Obviously” Morty turns to me. “You look terrible.”
“Thanks.”
“Nicki left her this morning.”
“Shut up.” I retort.
“Listen, uhhh Dot.” Morty scratches the back of his head. “We need more time before we get you in front of the Don.”
“Now is the time. I want to face him.”
“He’s out right now, Dot.” He starts. “Don’t make this hard for us.”
Morty and I stare at each other. He realizes that I’m serious.
“Very well.” He resigns. “I’ve always respect what you’ve done for the organization.”
“Thank you.”
They took me to the Don’s office in the Retrousse Yacht Club. Ray patted me down again. Now, I just have to wait.
It feels like I’m in the eye of the storm. Everyone is moving and whispering while I wait for the Don. They me offer my cigarettes and nice meals. It’s as if they believe I’m about to die.
“Dottie Jetson.” The Don comes in.
“Don Danna. Good to see you.” I stand. He observes me before gesturing for a seat.
“Did one of my guys get to you?”
“No. Actually. I came willingly.”
Danna pauses.
“How did we get here, Dot?” He asks, “I’ve always respected how you do business.”
“I’m hearing that a lot today.”
“1968 was one hell of a year, wasn’t it?” He asks with a chuckle. When he realizes that I don’t respond, he stops.
“Don Danna, I didn’t come here empty handed.” I say, “I have an offer.”
“Oh?”
“I think we both know you want me put down.”
He doesn’t respond.
“I’m not the problem, just so you know. It’s what I symbolize that is the problem for you.” It’s hard to speak. “But I can longer be a problem for you. The trial is over. A re-trial is unlikely.” I say, “Alma and Emmanuel died. Nicki skipped town. She ran away last night.”
“And she left you?”
“I didn’t want to leave.” I say, “1968 is behind us. What happens now? You kill me and business won’t be the same. New Bordeaux mourns a major personality, business will go away because they never wanted to do business with you.”
The look on his face is between shock and emotionless.
“If you kill me...I have made plans. Things I won’t tell you; you don’t know how to prepare for it, so imagine what it will be like when it all hits you at once.”
“And if I keep you alive?”
“I’ll open the Casino that Marcano failed.” I start, “you will get one major cut, on opening day, and we’ll never do business again.” I pause. “Frazier & Associates are out to. He is about to select me to serve on the board on his company.”
That’s not true. However, if I get him out of this; he’d better.
“So you just expect me to cut you loose?”
“You’ll want this money and 1968 is behind us both.” I say. He looks like he’s thinking.
“Excuse me.”
The next person to come into the room is Patrick Conti.
“Come on, Dottie.” He uses his hand to gesture for me to follow. I’m shaken. I’m expecting to get shot, now, but I figured the Don would want to do it. Patrick takes me into buffet room. It’s empty, right now.
“I got men outside the door. Stay here.”
The keep me in that damn room for an eternity. Different people would come talk to me about my plans. It wasn’t until Ray emerged that I knew a deal was made.
“Is it time?”
“Yeah, for you to go home.” Ray says. “You have a deal. Stand up, and I’ll walk you out.”
He doesn’t have to tell me twice.
“You’re a slippery bastard, kid.”
“Thanks.”
“Our work is done here. No more business.”
“I understand.”
“It goes without saying, but despite our agreement.” He starts. “You should keep your head down and our name out of your mouth, ya hear me?”
“Understood.”
“We will burn you from all business and I’ll keep an eye on you.” I nod. A car pulls up. No one in the backseat, there is one man in the driver’s seat. “And kid?”
“Yes?”
“You lost all your friends today, everyone who ever meant anything to you.” Ray punches me in the stomach. He knocks the wind out of me. He grips my hair and spits on me. What a statement. Roughly, he forces me into the back seat.
The ride to the Royal Hotel is a silent one. I’m in total shock from everything that has happened to me. My breathing can’t be controlled. The man in the front seat keeps his eyes on the road.
I expected him to try to kill me---it never happened. Safely, I walked from the parking lot to the elevator. By the time I got to the top, I’ve calmed. I feel like I’m in a nightmare again, it doesn’t feel real.
I used my key to open the front door. As I walked further inside, I saw people sitting in my living room: Camille, Jason, and Betty.
“You made it.”
“I made it.” I nod. Exhausted, I plop on to the couch with them. They are silent and sharing looks with each other. I let out a deep breath and look to Betty. I just roll into her arms. Her grip gets tighter on me.
“It’s alright, sweetheart.” Betty tells me, softly. “It’s over now.”
---
New Bordeaux, Louisiana. October of 1971
The opening of the New Bordeaux, Boardwalk is beautiful. There was beautiful weather and a heavy turn out from day into the night.
The whole day is just more work for me. I have to meet people, to talk to the media, take photos. I’m only smiling because I’ll be making money off of all this.
It’s only at night time that I’m just in the crowd. The fireworks are about to go off. I look over at all the happy people. God, look at what “Scaletta’s Ristorante” looks like now. It shines. His condo was once here. It has been replaced like everything else.
I can’t feel my heart or my face. Emmanuel, Alma, and Nicki should have been here. It was a hell of a ride with those three. This business is cruel and Nicki is free of it.
The news showed less coverage of now, one of America’s most wanted, John Donovan. I have no clue how we made it out, but I’m glad he did.”
I’ve decided to keep out of D.C. There’s nothing there for me. I made a promise that I intend to keep. At this time, I am a woman without a family to mob. I plan to keep it that way; I’m alone now.
I think I see my executive team standing with Camille and Betty. As I walk to them, as if a dream, they open up to me. They smile, clap, and raise their drinks.
The fireworks begin and I look at the sky. This is my second change. I can be legit. I can be honest with the people around me. I feel a soft thumb across my cheek as I return to reality.
“You alright?” Betty asks, lovingly. I can only give her a nod.
Relive former CIA Agent John Donovan’s Senate interview over the New Bordeaux Massacre of 1968. This interview features the shooting and death of Senator Blake. Footage of this historic and controversial testimony was confidential until recently.
It is believed that John Donovan shot the senator in order to distract the Senate/Media of billionaire Dorothy Vera Jetson’s dealings with the mob, at that time. Historians agree that his skilled tactic worked---but only for a short time. The Senate relaunched another investigation on the New Bordeaux Massacre in 1978; bringing Dottie Jetson’s involvement to the spotlight.
****Don’t Miss Season 3 Finale of Louisiana Uproar on June 19th***
Summary: Believing Dottie killed her own father, John Donovan turns on Dottie and testifies before the Senate Investigation Committee regarding the 1968 New Bordeaux Massacre.
I stayed in D.C until the day before the funeral.We got more attention than I wanted when the news covered his death. I told my step mom to keep my share from dad’s will. I don’t need it.
It was hard to say goodbye to my brother as I left. Martha knows how to contact me if he ever needs anything.
I was welcomed back to the office with a warm reception. I still get the feeling that I have a lot of work to do.
“You’re back.”
“I heard a lot of people sent flowers.” It’s after work, I thought I could see the penthouse and make sure my office was untouched. “Oh, you mean in New Bordeaux.”
“You left without telling anyone, you came back with no notice.”
“I wanted to do my own thing.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your father.” Nicki’s arms are crossed. She’s standing at the steps.
“I’m sorry to hear about Alma.” There’s a silence between us. “Do you wanna talk about it?”
“Do you?”
“I could.” She rolls her eyes and starts down the steps.
We have a drink and discuss everything during our separation. I told her the same story that I told everyone: I woke up to the sound of him having a seizure.
It sounds like Alma went out like a man. Ray and, her boss, Patrick Conti found out about the wire. Mercifully, they allowed her to shoot herself in her home. That way, it was a simple suicide. The authorities had no choice but to drop it. Alma is dead and her family doesn’t know about the business. Nicki mentioned that Ray wired her family some money.
“Really in the thick of things, now.” I say.
“And getting thicker.” Nicki adds. “One for the road?”
“If you please.” I say watching her pour. “Here’s to...still being alive.”
“What a punishment that is.” We knock our drinks back. Suddenly, I can feel her lips on mine.
“Whoa.” I calmly react. “You…”
“I don’t know what I want.” She tells me. “I think we both could use some comfort, tonight.” She has a great point.
---
We only went once. Poor girl was exhausted. I understand. I guess I’m not the only one going through something. I feel terrible for hurting her.
I thought about leaving when I realized that she was asleep, but I don’t know if she wants that.
“Morning.” She greets me in the kitchen.
“H-hi. Should I go?”
“I expected you to leave.” She pours coffee. “I’m glad you stayed.”
“Me too.” My shoulders relax.
“Dot.” She starts. “Emmanuel is dead, Alma is dead. We’re the only ones left from what happened in 1968.”
“That’s right.” I sigh.
“The day Jason found you. You said repeatedly that you...killed Lincoln. Did you?” Oh, great.
“I had to, Nicki. He killed the capos that night.”
“He did?”
“During their meeting, I heard three gunshots. I had an idea he was going to do it but I couldn’t stop him.” I sigh. “So I threw a bomb in his car.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I don’t know anymore.” That’s true. “Fear of you think I was in on it, not getting a chance to get in on...all of this.” I gesture to the world around us. “Whatever this is.”
Nicki looks down and lets out a sigh.
“Thanks for dropping by, Dot.” Nicki says before heading upstairs.
My car rolls up to the doors of the warehouse. There’s no car out here. I wonder if John still uses it. It’s John, he probably has several offices.
A car starts to roll up and park beside me.
“I guess I have good timing.”
“I was following your car.” John tells me as he get out of his car. He looks upset.
“Is everything alright?”
“It’s pretty fucking far from alright.” He tells me.
“What’s wrong?” I take a few steps closer. I have been staying up to date on the hearings. They seem to be wrapping up.
“I know what you did.” He nods. “What did you find out?”
“Find what out?”
“Don’t look at me like that.” He says, “What did you think he was gonna turn on you? So you killed him?”
“My father?” My jaw drops.
“The ol’ heart attack pills…” He says, “You know, I thought you were gonna take care of yourself with those.”
“Did you want that?”
“It’s just not in your nature to…”
“Do the right thing?” I cut him off. “When has that ever mattered to you? I stood with you when the team blew up a boat...and you’re surprised that I-” Breathe Dot. “He was sick for a long time.” I start. At that moment, John pounces on me. His hands around my neck. He says something but it’s hard to catch. I’m in shock.
His hands come off me.
“John.” He really needs to hear me out. “My dad and I agreed.”
“Enough!” He says, “I’m tired of the lying, the manipulation.”
“What?” I can’t believe this.
“Look at what you’re gonna make me do.” He shakes his head before storming in his car and pulling off.
I didn’t like that at all. What could I make him do? I’m not going to wait on this. I promptly let Ray know that he was gonna be a problem. We have men on the streets, we have to find John Donovan.
“Dottie.” Jason says, when he was called to my penthouse.
“Jason, thank you for coming by.”
“Sure uhhh.” He pauses when he sees Ray sitting on the couch.
“Jason, have a seat.” Ray gestures. Jason looks at me for approval, I nod.
“Jason. Have you heard anything from John Donovan?”
“Not...really..?” He looks uncomfortable.
“Be honest with us, now.”
“It sounds like something has happened.” Jason starts, “I assure you that it’s nothing that I’m aware of.”
Ray sighs. He looks over at me.
“You believe this kid?” He asks me.
“I do.” I say. “John and I had a situation. It appears he doesn’t trust me or the establishment, anymore.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“Jason. I’m going to ask you again. Do you know anything about John’s whereabouts?”
After a silence. Jason answers:
“No.”
“Well, you just lost your usefulness.” Ray stands and pulls his gun.
“Ray!” I push the gun and the bullet hits my window. Jason pops up. He grips Ray in some kind of Judo throw to the couch. Jason has the gun. “Ray.” I help him up.
“Way to blow that one, Dottie.” Ray comments.
“I am not the enemy here.” Jason tells us. “Have your men put on a search for John all over New Bordeaux---especially places of transportation, trains, the airport.”
“You don’t think we’ve already done that.” I comment.
“Good.”
“Dot, you and I can go through his files in the office.”
“So, you’re on our side now?”
“I always was.” Jason points the gun at Ray gesturing for him to leave.
I’ve never seen Ray degraded like that. I watched him leave my penthouse. I take a seat on my couch.
“Dottie.” Jason says to me calmly. I don’t respond. “Dottie, we have work to do.”
“I know. I...didn’t think he was gonna do that.”
“I did.”
“Jason, I’m so sorry….for this...mess.” I sniffle. “It’s all my fault-”
“Hey.” He sits on my coffee table, directly in front of me. “I am your shield now, Dottie. I clean up your messes, I would take a bullet for you. It is my duty so you don’t have to apologize to me. We’re in this, together.”
I nod.
“This is just one bump on a long journey for the Jetson Organization.”
Those words make me cry. Why is he always so kind to me?
“Jason, what do you want from me?”
“First thing is first, I am going to bring John’s files up here.” He says. “He’s probably removed anything incriminating, by this point, but we can try to figure his motives.”
“Okay.” I nod.
We worked in my living room and went through John’s files. Jason was right, John removed a lot of items---he always does. We were able to find one thing. The one thing we believe John left behind intentionally: a letter to the committee that he was an accomplice in the New Bordeaux Massacre, and he was willing to testify.
---
It’s been a few days and I’m paranoid. We’ve been searching everywhere for John. I don’t feel like myself. Between the frustration, desperation of the situation---I feel like I’m breaking. I’m trying to downplay such a massive search for John. I can’t keep the game for long.
At noon, August twenty-second, John Donovan will testify before the committee. I felt my heart drop because it was almost over.
“Hi there.” I hear Ray say. I took some time to be alone on my roof.
“What are you doing up here?”
“Nicki let me in.” She should have been smarter than that. “She didn’t have much of a choice.”
“What did you do?” I move to walk.
“Dot, you can’t defend her.” He says, “I came here to rough you up but I won’t kill you, yet.”
“Okay.”
“After he testifies.”
“What?”
“The Don doesn’t want to use any undo resources. We’re done searching for this cat. He’s got government heat. ”
“He’s not gonna do it? He’s making a mistake.”
“Be that as it may.” he starts. “After the hearing, if he fingers you or us. You’re getting whacked.” It’s so matter of fact and it all makes sense.
“Okay.” I nod.
“What about Nicki?”
“Her too.” He says. Ray offers me a cigarette. I need one. “You’re a good kid, Dottie.” He tells me. “I had to fight to make sure Danna didn’t put a hit on you.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Hey, we respect ya’. You did great things for this organization.” He says, “And, honestly, you are our best fucking earner. You don’t get people like you on a team like ours often.”
“Thank you.”
“Nevermind. Hey, when we off you...who do you want to put you down?” He puts his arm around me.
“You.”
“Okay.” He kisses my temple.
When we get back to the penthouse. Nicki is sitting still at the dining table with three other men. Outnumbered.
“Ladies.” Ray speaks. “I really hope you make it out of this. But if you feel you won’t, do be stupid and try to leave town. If you ask me, we’re being reasonable with you.”
“Hey.” Jason greets me that afternoon. I’m feeling sentimental. I had him meet me at Scaletta’s Ristorante.
“Hi there.”
“You waited for me to drink?”
“Not in the mood.” I say, “Ray has been by. Says if John rats he’ll kill me.”
“Understood.”
“You can run the company.” I nod.
“I wasn’t here for that.” He says, “This job is pressure enough.”
“I thought you wanted something challenging.”
“My job is.” We both chuckle. “We continue to fight, Dot. They’re damn stupid without you.”
“Would it be terrible if I want to be done?”
“With them? No. Dottie, you’ve built so much here.” Jason says. “I was looking forward to being a part of it....with you.”
“That’s very kind of you, Jason.” I say. “I feel like we just met and you have all this...faith in me.”
“You’re the leader.” He raises his glass to me. “I could take these guys...long enough to get you out.”
“It’s not worth it.” I shake my head with a chuckle. “Jason, I want to go. I’ve lost so many friends this year…” I pause. “You’re gonna want to run this company, Jason.” I say. “After the boardwalk opens---the sky’s the limit.” I can see a thought go across Jason’s brain.
“You know what I’m gonna do?”
“What?”
“I’m going to keep the company under your name and I’m going to tell your story. You are a victim of the mob.”
“Consider your safety before doing that.”
“We could take them. Everyone but you wants them. I’ll see it done.”
Over drinks, I ran Jason through everything that I knew. There is a beauty in discussing the end. I wondered if this was how my father felt as he was discussing her final affairs. He had a point. Vito said the mob likes power. The government are hot on our heels. Attention scares David Danna, it always has.
---
“Dottie. What are ya doing here?” Travis asks me when he walks to his reception area.
“I wanted to talk to you. Do you have a minute?”
“Sure.”
He walks me back to his office.
“What’s going on? Wanna drink?”
“That would be wonderful.” I say. He moves to his bar to fix us two drinks.
“The mob wants to off me.”
“...Because of me?”
“No.” I say. “Because of me, I guess.”
“I’m sorry…” He tells me. “How can I help?”
“Well.” I stop. “...I wanted you to know that I thought it was...noble that you went to the cops.”
“Thank you.”
“Do whatever you were gonna do...before I stopped you.”
“Yeah?”
“….if they kill me.” I want to correct myself. “There’s a chance I could survive. If I do, we can buy our way out of the mob.”
“...was that ever a possibility?”
“No. Now is our opening.”
“Dottie.” Travis looks perplexed. “You are saying…” He stops and starts to whisper. “If you get killed, go to the cops. If not…”
“If not, don’t.”
“Why.”
“Because that’s when I know I have my opening.” I say, “Trust me on this.”
“Dottie, you’re telling me to trust you with my life.”
“It isn’t the first time.” I force a quick smile. “You won’t be the only coming forward. I told you that I could help you--help us get away from the mob.”
“Either way, I guess I’m out from under those assholes.” Finally, he brings the drinks and sits with me.
“Let’s hope I stay alive.”
“What’s the likelihood?”
“Five percent, give or take.” I shrug and throw my drink back. “I should go. I’m being watched.”
“Dottie. It was an honor.” We hug. I want to look at his face for a moment. I give his arms a squeeze before leaving his office.
Now that I have Jason and Travis on my side, it’s time for my next meeting:
“Dottie.” Betty greets me when I get to the office. She follows me to mine.
“Betty.”
“Sit. Sit.” She says. “Jason and I are so worried about you.”
“It’s been quite a week.” I pause. “Did Jason already tell you the plan?”
“He did. I’m in.”
“Thank you.” I say. “These are the keys to the vault. You release what you think is relevant and you…” I pause. “Get out.”
“Dottie, this place can’t run without you. Jason, Larry, and Pierre---they can’t-.”
“Betty, focus on yourself.” I told her. “You have boys. I need you to be careful when I’m gone.”
The tears start to well in her eyes.
“I can’t...run without you.” Betty shakes her head.
It’s an emotional day. I’m filled with anxiety. I know I am being watched everywhere I go.
“Dottie is that you?” Nicki asks when I get to the penthouse.
“Yes.”
“You were out for a while.”
“It was brave, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah...I’ve never felt so unsafe around my own men before. I just came home.” Poor Nicki. I move to kiss her and she allows me. Our kiss transitions into a deep hug. She’s shaken but her arms have a tight grip on me.
“Nicki.” I say against her lips. “I’m so sorry.”
She shakes her head looking down.
“Danna’s always hated the idea of 1968---people taking over from the boss.”
Gently, we are forehead to forehead.
“We are the righteously fucked.”
“You can say that again.” Nicki pulls away. “Just make love to me.”
---
On the 25th of August 1971, we tuned in at my penthouse to see when John would rat. There was a peace in it, like a family reunion.
Nicki, Jason, Ray, and a few of Rays’ guys are here. Nicki is nervously holding on to me. Jason is stand offish---he may try to do something when John rats. I hope not.
I don’t get it. I’m watching John’s testimony; the mood in the room goes from nervousness, to anticipation, finally to anxiety. We were expecting him to say my name, or any name of the current team. He’s speaking of 1968’s Massacre and he doesn’t mention names.
I’m holding my breath. Perhaps he will wait until the end of his testimony to nail me. I don’t want to get my hopes up.
“Mr. Donovan.” One of the senators says, “You’ve mentioned another person did calculations and made sure people were paid.” He says, “Can you confirm a third team member?”
“Yes.” John smiles. Here it comes.
“Could you please elaborate?”
“No.”
So many memories in the stories he tells. Each district was a different experience. The ending is finally here.
The committee has their final recess. When they return to John, it’s his turn. John’s speech is almost not coherent. That is, until he talks about Kennedy’s murder:
“What are you saying?” The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Blake, asks.
“I’m saying...that Sal Marcano and a group of conspirators murdered Jack Kennedy.”
“Ugh.” The Senator starts. “That is the most absurd thing I have ever-”
“I assumed you’d say that.”
John takes out a gun. Where did he get a gun. He points it at the chairman.
“Don’t fucking move!” John stands. There is a silence as he scans the room, pointing the weapon.
“Now, this...you’re out of your mind.”
“Oh, I don’t hold anyone’s ambitions against them, Senator.” He’s so calm. “And you certainly were ambitious, weren’t you? You went to law school became a district attorney, and then the United States Senate.” John walks around the desk. “After Sal died, I went through his files. Imagine my surprise when I saw your name over, and over, and over again. The mob wanted Jack Kennedy dead and you were more than willing to help.”
John walks closer. That gun is facing Senator Blake.
“There are cameras everywhere! This is broadcasted on television!”
“Duh, I want them to see this, you stupid asshole! Because then, they will know that I am not finishing with you. I am starting with you.” Immediately after those words, he shot the Senator. Once in the chest, then in the forehead.
“And they’re next.” John tells the camera closest to him.
That was it. The television went static.
“Shit!” Ray is the first to react.
“He just…” Nicki pauses. “Murdered that...senator.”
“He did.” Jason nods. I’m speechless. I look up at Ray who is tapping the sweat from his forehead.
“I...kid. Look, a deal’s a deal.”
“Alright.” I’m not sure what that means. Ray heads for the door gesturing for his men to follow.
Summary: Drama circulates Dottie’s life and she heads to DC to escape; The New Bordeaux Mafia loses 1968 original lieutenant, Alma Diaz; Dottie suffers the loss of her father.
“Hey.” I say greeting John. “You look impressed.”
“That’s because I’m impressive.” John tells me and he watches me take a seat. “My time with you is ending.”
“That’s...not what I wanted to hear.”
“But it’s a good thing. My exit means everything is going well.”
“The hearing?”
“That’s right.” He says, “It’s dead ending. They put too much of a rush on the investigator.” He says, “the chair is getting impatient for some kind of ah-ha moment.”
“Any potential legislation?”
“Not yet.”
“Thank you.” I nod.
“You’re welcome.”
“How much longer will I have you?”
“The moment the hearing ends.” He says, “I’ll give it a month.”
“I want it to end, but I don’t want you to go.”
“Thanks.” He forces a smile. “I guess you always knew I was a floater.” Let’s call it that.
“Gonna find another mess to unfuck?” I stand and walk to his bar.
“Perhaps.” I walk back to him with a drink. “You’re coming back pretty well.”
“I had to. Nicki started suggesting sending me to a shrink.”
“What are you gonna do there?”
“Tell ‘em I kill people.” I wink.
“I wonder what is going on in that brain of yours.” I watch him stand at his desk and come around to me. He extends his hand to me and I take it.
“You’re one step closer to knowing, now.” I stand in front of him. His hand moves from my hand to my face. His lips find mine and, before I know it, we’re kissing. “John, I haven’t…”
“That’s right.”
John resigns and sits on his desk.
“I really am...glad you’re alright.”
“Thank you.” I walk between his legs. I don’t want to imagine my life without John, his wit, his suits. Could I do it? Ask him to take me away from all this? Mary a smart, strong man?
“What?” He asks while examining my face.
“Nothing.” I smile. Who am I kidding? We’d go insane dealing with each other. “I may have to kill someone but I want to be away from it.”
“Sounds like the story of your life.”
“Really?” My shoulders drop before sitting next to him.
“Jason.” John gives in, “he may know a guy who can...get it done, creatively.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He says in a mocking tone. This time, I go for it. Our lips crash into each other. I just want to feel okay, again. I feel like John is looking past me, while he’s kissing my neck. I go to check but I don’t see anything.
---
“Jason. Stay behind.” I say, after our leadership meeting. He remains in his seat.
“How’s it going?”
“Pretty well. Back in the swing of things.”
“Great.”
“You?” He notices the difference in me.
“I may need to put someone down.” I start.
“Again? I got all that out of my system.”
“But I haven’t.”
“I got it.” He starts. “You’re still at war.”
“There’s still a war going on.” I say, “this hearing, these people on my back, the boardwalk.”
“It’s all being handled by your staff.” He plays nonchalant. “This will make it worse.”
I really don’t have time for his life advice as if he didn’t just slaughter a bunch of people about a month again. I feel myself shaking a bit.
“Dot, alright.” He says. “I have something...something I learned in company.” He stands. “Breathe.”
I do as he says, especially now as I seem to be getting what I want.
---
“Dot. Dot. Wake up.” I hear Nicki’s voice in the middle of the night. The bedside light is on. My mind is rushing about the next ball to drop, a new attack? Something with the boardwalk? Someone important died?
“I know you’ve been unfaithful.”
“Oh.” I pause.
“I saw you with him---again. I don’t know why I thought this would change you. That you would figure where your priorities would be.” I start to get out of bed. “Be so glad you are made, or I would clip you myself.”
I don’t think I’m going to get any sleep tonight. I get out of bed. She lets me have it over coffee in the kitchen. She’s very upset---understandably. We have been together for the last two years. I don’t want to argue and I don’t want to lie. I don’t have the energy to patronize, I don’t want to be with her.
“How many?”
“Nicki.”
“How many people have you slept with while we were together?”
“I don’t want to talk about that, now.”
“How many?”
“Donovan and some other guy from Empire Bay.”
“Are you even gay?” She asks. It’s something that I’ve asked myself since I started with Donovan.
“Yes, I am.” I pause. She breaks down in tears and sobs. I don’t know what to do. I reach to touch her but I’m not sure now is the time.
“Nicki, listen to me. Things are going on right now. I want you to know no matter what, I am going to get you out.”
Just then, she pops out of her seat and shoves me. I’m expecting her to follow up but she doesn’t. Instead, she grips the back of her head in pure frustration.
“Dot.” She shakes her head. “I think I should stay someplace else for a while.”
“No, I’ll do it.” I say, “Stay.”
Thoughts of Nicki consume my day. Poor girl. It’s like I am toxic to everyone who comes near me.
“Hi there.” I hear a light knock on my door.
“Hey John.”
“How’s it going?”
“Meetings. All day.” My eyes get bigger. “Finally getting some work done.”
“Good.”
“Did you want something?”
“For once, I don’t.” He looks around my office. “Can’t say I know exactly why I’m here.”
“Welcome to the club.” I gesture for him to have a seat. “Nicki found us in your office the other night.” I say, while starting a cigarette.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I see.” I put my feet on the desk.
“Are you in denial...or?”
“John, everything else has come pretty close to shit. What’s one more, right?”
“That’s a way to think of it.”
“I can’t think of a more composed, fucked up person.” I stand from ym desk and prepare to put things away. “I’m beat. I’m off to the hotel.”
“Alright.” He’s still seat. I had for the door but I pause. I steal a quick kiss on his forehead.
---
I’m resting a little more after not seeing Nicki for days. I’m sure it’s not over yet, but it’s getting close. One of us has to end it.
In the morning, Jason and I took a view of the boardwalk, it is still under construction. The first day is coming up. It’s shaping up.
“I used to work over there.” I point.
“You told me.” Jason says, “When you were running number for old Vito.”
“That’s right.” I take a breath in. “What a difference a few years can make.”
“Say, I got that thing you asked for.”
“Thank you.”
“Who is it for?”
“What?”
“Dot.” Jason starts. “This business has been through the woods a lot. You’ve gotten us through it. Thank you.”
“Sure.” I don’t feel like he should be thanking me. I don’t even think we’re out of the woods, yet.
“I’m gonna ask you once and be straightforward with me.” He stops in front of me. His big body is blocking me. “Will you use it on yourself?”
“That hadn’t even dawned on me.’
“Hadn’t it?” He says, “I’ve been there before.”
“I thought if it.” I say, “but I wouldn’t have asked for help. I would have just done it.”
“I figured.” He says, he puts something in my hand and closes it. “Don’t mistake that for aspirin. It’ll give you a heart attack.”
---
I stayed at a motel in the Delray Hollow during my separation from Nicki. Yes, I could afford to stay at an expensive hotel. I needed to be exiled from everyone. It was time to be alone---to feel distance.
Repeatedly, I paced my motel trying to find the answer. I deeply considered killing Nicki. She knows too much. Could I stand to kill another person who is close to me? Why am I even doing it?
The pills are sitting on the motel dresser, by the small tv. I could use them, on myself, but I don’t feel like it’s time to pull the plug. It’s not my time: I am the better survivor than anyone that I have a quarrel with. I can still fight.
I thought this little motel would be simple enough to bring me the answer. It’s not. I need more distance. I need to get out of here. In the dead of night, I drove to the airport and landed in D.C. I told no one until I made it there. At that point, I called Jason and my assistant to notify them that I was no longer in New Bordeaux and how to reach me.
“Dottie!” Martha, my step-mother greets me. “What are you doing here?”
“Hi.” We greet with a hug.
“Come in, come in!” I do as she says. “You should have told me you would be by. I would have come to get you.”
“I thought showing up unannounced would be enough of an intrusion.”
“Never.”
We walk to the living room where my father and brother are playing chess.
“Dottie!” My brother gives me a hug.
“What are you doing here?” My father asks.
“I’m...outdoors, you know.” I nod. “I was wondering if I could stay for a few days.”
“Of course.”
My father looks different. The drugs must be weighing on him. He’s heavier, he’s ill. He doesn’t seem like himself.
The next morning, Martha told me that someone was on the phone for me.
“Hello.” I answer the home phone.
“Dottie. I am calling you from a secure line.” Uh oh.
“Ray? How’d you get this number?”
“Nevermind. There’s a rat on our team.”
“Who?” Nicki couldn’t have, did she?
“Alma.” He says, “We had to put her down.” Oh.
“How did you find out?”
“It’s of no matter.” He says, “She said they threatened her mom and grandmother.” Her poor family. Either way, this will hurt them.
“What did they want?”
“To know about 1968.”
“Shit.” I say, “What did she tell them?”
“The main plan.” To kill Marcano. I don’t know what to say. “I gotta get off the line.” Ray tells me. “I’m sorry, Dot.”
“Me too.” I force the words.
I wonder what she told them. I sniffle. Just like that and Alma’s dead. I should have been with the team for it.
“Ready?” The voice makes me jump. That’s right, I’m supposed to have dinner with my father.
“Yes.”
“Were you working?”
“For just a moment?”
“What was your call about?” He presses at the dinner table.
“I told you...work.” We have a bit of a staring contest before I make an uncomfortable laugh.
“They’re on your heels, kid.”
“Do they know about me?”
“Same as before. I take it Alma was a reliable source.”
“You knew?”
“I have a mentee in the Justice Department. He’s the one that tipped me off that they were suspecting my daughter was a part of it.” He pauses. “I figured that’s what you were doing here.”
“That’s not-”
“I’m not gonna be able to know too much longer.” He tells me. “I’m sick.”
Something about when he says that breaks my heart. I lightly put my hand on my face and suck in sniffle. Gently, he guides my hand to hold his from across the table.
“It still stands. When you go, I won’t come back.”
“That is fine.” There is a silence between us, while I silently father myself. “I hope you never feel like this.”
“Like you know exactly what to say, but your body won’t allow it. Your friends think you’re some kind of...cripple?” I think back to after my kidnapping.
“I imagine...it’s terrible.”
“I’m ready to go, kid.” He looks me in the eye. “I would have ended it all but your step mother is worried about your brother.” It’s so blunt and surprising. I didn’t expect that comment. My hand pulls from his.
“Why did you tell me that?”
“Because It’s time. Either I stop eating or I overdose.”
“No, no, no.” I’m trying to drown him out.
“Listen to me.” He says. “I’m not gonna let my children see their father die this way. Your mother went quick enough.”
I wish he would shut up.
Silently, I sobbed that night. I didn’t sleep. I sobbed over my dad. I sobbed over Alma. Poor Alma, I don’t know what I would have done if they threatened my father. I won’t have to worry about him after tomorrow.
---
The next morning, I woke up to a home nearly alone. There was a note from my step mother that she’d gone out with my brother. I can hear my father coughing in his bedroom.
My heart drops as I remember what I have to do this morning. First, I head to the kitchen to prepare the water and the pills. I’m shaking.
“Good morning.” I bring my head into his bedroom.
“Hi there.” He coughs.
“Are you feeling alright?” What a dumb question.
“I’m not sure yet.”
I take a seat on the side of the bed. I put the water and the pills on the nightstand.
“I brought your medicine.”
“Thank you.” He goes for it. I can’t take this. Come on, Dottie, for once in your miserable life---be honest with him. My hand stops him.
“Are you really sick of all this?” He coughs. “I know you’re struggling and this isn’t you. You won’t die alone.”
“I know I won’t.” He tells me. “I have you, Fitz Jr, Martha.”
“No.” I shake my head and look away. “If you take those pills, you will die---within the hour.”
“Dottie, what’s in those pills?”
“Do you want it or not?” I ask in a low voice.
He doesn’t respond to me. Instead, he ingests the pills. I nod.
You should lie down.”
He listens to me and repositions himself. This is working rather quickly. He’s going out of consciousness. My hand finds his and I feel a surprisingly strong grip.
Suddenly, he starts to seize. His body is jolting uncontrollably. It just stops as randomly as it starts.
“Just go, daddy.” I keep my words calm and soft. “This is the last time that you’ll ever have to suffer.” I kiss his hand and it goes weak.
I made the call for an ambulance stating that my father was having a seizure. When Martha and Fitz Jr got home, I told them that I woke up to find him that way.
I hear Bonnie’s words in my ear:
“You ever see the life light drain from someone’s eyes?
Summary: Dottie tries to get back to work while suffering from withdrawal from the “Sky” drug; Jason goes after Bonnie, the leader of the Ensanglante Cult; The mafia suffers the loss of Louisiana 1968 original lieutenant, Emmanuel.
After my rescue, I’m just not the same. I wonder how long it’s been since I’ve come to. It feels like I’m coming down with the flu.
I’m shaking, restless, I can’t stop thinking of what could have happened to me. I’m sneezing and going from hot to cold. I won’t wish it on anyone, but those freaks.
“Hi there.” Nicki sits with me. “I hear you haven’t been eating.” This is terrible. It takes energy to speak, but I don’t have it.
“How’s Dad?” She chuckles.
“He’s fine. He believes you’re sick.” She tries to feed me. “Dot, it’s broth. It’s been two days since they took the tube out.” Her look of concern causes me to give in, despite the discomfort.
“I wanna take you away from all this.” She tells me.
“N-not possible.”
“You’d think so.” She says, “but think about how much has been done by us already.”
I can’t form the words that I want to tell her. No, this is actually impossible. I refuse to leave while everything is going on. Bonnie came after me because I was building New Bordeaux. I was building over the land the “Wellborns” once dominated. This was not a hit to the mob, this was personal for Bonnie.
Nicki stays with me for a bit, until Jason joins. I’m nervous for this conversation, last time, he said things that creeped me out.
“Some strong shit they have out there.” He says, “Wells Middle School?”
“What?”
“Be careful of the fallen sky.”
“Wh-Why would..you?”
“They wanted you for something. I met Bonnie.” When did I tell him about Bonnie? “Crazy as hell, right?”
“S-s-she h-has to pay.”
“I agree.” Jason chuckles, “but even if she does. It’s not just her, we have to stop the establishment.”
“Start with her.” She was clearly calling the shots. Bonnies was mentioned so many times.
“What happened to the girl?” I ask.
“She killed herself...while you were in Empire Bay.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too.” There’s a silence between us.
“I-I need Betty, Camille, and S-” What’s her name?
“Stacy.” Yes.
“I need them to report what has been happening.”
“Not now, Dot.”
“Don’t tell me what-” I pause. “You ha-ndle them. I deal with with this.”
“You just got back.”
“Jason!” I try to calm. I’m shaking again. “A-all I n-need is for you to do it.”
“Fine.”
“We need to partners.”
“I came and got you, didn’t I?” He did? Jason kisses my forehead. “Good night, Dot.”
As Jason leaves, Nicki returns.
“What happened to Emmanuel?”
Nicki pauses and lets out of a sigh. She sits on the bed.
“He was...hanging.”
“Honey, lie down.” I do as she tells me.
“Emmanuel passed away. A few hours after you went missing. They came to the old church and threw fire bombs.” That church was just renovated. Fuck. My eyes tear. Those monsters have to pay for this.
I can hear the prayer that was said, repeatedly, over me at the school:
“In the darkness, we find renewal. In the darkness, we find the Blessed. Let the flesh consume you so that you may fall into the darkness and restore the blessed to be among us, once again.”
---
I have Camille, Betty, and Stacy as my proxy. I’m starting to feel better. Though, several people tell me that I will mention something that has nothing to do with the conversation. I hope it doesn’t cause them to disregard my decisions.
“Hi there.” John greets me. “I’ve heard you were back to work.”
“It’s time.”
“I’m sorry that it’s been a while.”
“It was probably better this way.”
“How are you?”
“Ah, well, I’m getting better...I-John, how’s the hearing?”
“Wow.”
“Most people say they don’t know.”
“That’s a good sign.”
I listen to his updates while pacing the room. It sounds like the hearings have started. The police chief, at the time, has testified. His answers were not helpful to the committee.
“Do you know who is next?”
“I believe they are still looking.” Oh no, not again. I can’t control it.
“Hey, you alright?”
The thoughts of the school. I see Lincoln’s burning body when he wakes up.
“Dot!” John reaches to hold me. “Hey.”
“Sorry, I zoned.” I move his hand from my shoulder.
“I get it, y’know.” He says, “Waking up in a cold sweat, the nightmares.” I’m trying to shake it off. “Don’t wait to go back to normal. This is normal.”
“That’s scary.”
“It just is.”
---
I feel like I’m getting better. The flashbacks are here. I wonder if Anna killed herself because of this feeling.
One night, I woke up next to Nicki. I had another dream. It wasn’t bad this time. I just remember being back there.
John Donovan comes to my mind. I shut him down, but this drug is getting the better of me. It’s two in the morning. I decide to head down to the office and get some work done.
“John?” I pause, seeing the light in his office is on.
“Oh, hey.” He looks at me. It feels like my mindset changes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m gonna assume that because I asked if this was real. This is a real conversation?”
“Yes.” He knocks on his desk.
“It’s late?”
“Yes.” He says, “I can’t believe those big wigs are still taking orders from you.”
“That or the infighting would commence.” I take one of his cigarettes. “You should be taking orders from me, too. I still fund this.”
There’s a silence between us.
“Alright.”
“How’s everything?” I put on a polite smile. He forces out a chuckle.
“Dot, I think you’ve been worried about the wrong thing.” He says, “If they find a way to, they will put sanctions on organized crime. They won’t need to find you.” I say nothing. I look over and there is a picture of my father. “Dottie. You’re a rich, young woman with a lot of resources. Use them and get out.”
“Why do you have a picture of my father?”
“Are you listening?”
“Yes. I have a way out.” I start. “What about my father?”
“He has connections with the justice department. I had to see if he knew something.”
“What’d you find out?”
“Inconclusive. He has to know---he’s just doing nothing about it.”
“Okay.” He’s looking at something. I follow his gaze. Betty has put up a sign to count down the opening of the New Bordeaux Boardwalk.
Thirty-two days, it reads.
After John leaves, I try to focus on work. It isn’t until five a.m that I hear a tap on my glass.
“Morning.” Were the only words I could think of when I let Nicki in.
“Hey.” She kisses my lips.
“You never come d-down here.”
“I was looking for you, you left the back door unlocked.” She says, “It was a lucky guess.”
“What are you doing here?”
“You’ve been working too much since everything happened.” Great. “Let’s have breakfast.” She rubs my shoulders. Nicki has always had an adorably warm smile. “Let’s do something different.”
“Sure.” I give in.
We ate at a diner in River Row, before we took a tour of the construction site of the Boardwalk.
“I’ve got some thinking to do.” I say it, randomly.
“About?”
“A lot. Have you seen people becoming paranoid about the hearings?”
“No, we’ve all been focused on you.” That makes me chuckle.
“Don’t be so trusting.” I say as I start to smoke my cigarette.
“Well, what do you mean?”
“Nicki, it’s very important you keep this to yourself.” I sigh, “I don’t know what I mean, yet. This business makes you paranoid. If they get an idea that the hearing is going sour. They’ll strike.”
“Is it going...sour?”
“No.”
“Then who is paranoid?”
“Nicki, that kind of thinking will get you killed.” I don’t want to start this fight. She says nothing and I try to calm. “I’m sorry. What I’m trying to say is...I’m...I mean that if something goes badly. I will do everything in my power to get you out, safely.”
“I know you will.” She tells me before moving to hold my hand. I mean that. I recognize that I’m no longer in love with Nicki Burke, but I do love her.
---
The next few days are sleepless and filled with work. There’s so much on my mind regarding the Ensanglante, the Boardwalk, and my own team. I’ve never been so deeply in the thick of things.
“Dot.” Jason greets me in my office. Everyone has left and it’s nearly eight at night.
“Long time, no see.” I start. “You know it doesn’t instill confidence in the team when the CEO and President are on some kind of separate bender.”
“That’s what I came for. It ends tonight.”
“No. It never ends.” I sigh, “ please explain.”
“I found them. The Ensanglante. They’ll be at the old Sanatorium tonight.”
“Who are you bringing?”
“None of them.” He sees the look on my face. “They’ll slow me down.”
“Jason, I need you right now. Your safety is a non-negotiable.”
“You and I both know that you can’t stop me.”
“I can’t.” I resign. I have no energy to feel the seriousness of it. “Good luck.”
“Thank you.” He stops. “Let Ray know that it’s gonna be done tonight.”
“After. When you’re ready.”
I can’t sleep, even if I wanted to. I don’t want to sleep. My nightmares are too much. The idea of Jason out there. This will ruin everything if he dies. I can’t do anything: if I send the boys out and it throws him off, he could die. Frustrated, I tuck myself in my office of the penthouse. In my helplessness, I started a cigarette.
“Hi there.” I look up to see someone standing in front of my desk.
“Oh man, I’m tired.” I realize when I see my guest.
“You haven’t slept in days, kid.” Vito sits in front of me.
“Can I get you a drink?”
“You don’t need another.” He crosses his legs. “You’ve got some decisions to make.”
“I do.” I sigh.
“You’re right to think they’re gonna whack you for the trial. They’ll try to prove a point.”
“Vito.” I start. “What?”
“Quickly. I have to this, quickly.”
“What does the commission like?”
“Money.”
“Which you have. Leo made a deal with the commission. It’s over as far as ‘68.” He’s always spoken so fast. I wish I was following his words.
“Danna will try to get you, though.” He says, “Your friend did you a favor. He did the mob a favor.”
“Who is to say he’s going to make it out?”
“He’ll make it. When he does. Strike a deal, kid. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“Alright.” He smiles. “Get some rest.” He stands as I look down to ash my cigarette. When I move to look up, he’s gone.
---
I fell asleep in the chair of my office. I did rest that night. Too soundly, I worry that Jason radioed me and I was asleep. I rush to get changed. It’s nearly two in the afternoon.
“Jason. Hey.”
“Hey, Dottie.” He’s carrying a box. Neither of us look as we traditionally would in the office.
“Can I get you a drink?”
“Something small. You have a black trash bag?”
“Yes.” I nod. I grab a drink and a trash bag. Jason downs the drink quickly and spreads the trash bag on the kitchen table. Finally, he opens the box and places its content on the trash bag.
“Is that a…”
“Head. It’s Bonnie’s head.”
My eyes and lips raise in wonder as I hold her head. I observe her face. It looks like the woman I encountered. Jason Stanwyck brought me her head, and it’s exceptional.
“Is this what you wanted?”
“She is… have you turned on the news?” He raises an eyebrow. “Dead bodies found at the old Sanatorium.”
“Oh?” He plays dumb.
“Believed to be a cult mass suicide.” A smile forms on my face.
“Great job.” I say. “I’ll see to it that you’re compensated.”
“Thank you.” He starts to pack the box again.
“I’ll set some time to tell Ray.” Jason pauses. He kisses my forehead before leaving my penthouse.
“Dottie Jetson.” Ray says when I let him and Morty into my home. I greet both men with hugs and kisses on the cheek.
“It’s good to see you again, Dot.” Morty says. “Last I came by, you were still out of it.”
“Ray, Morty. I’m glad you could see me.”
“We were just on our way to dinner.” Ray says.“What’s on your mind?” He pauses. “Heard about the mass suicide at the Sanatorium.”
“Did you?”
“Everyone is happy to hear the discreteness in how it was handled.”
I gesture for them to follow me to the kitchen. Out of the refrigerator, I bring out Jason’s little “care package”.
“I don’t know if you’ll feel like eating after this.” I open the box and bring out the head. Ray pops up, in disbelief. “Ray, Morty, meet Bonnie.”
“No shit?” Ray has the same look of wonder that I had. Morty is examining the head.
“They are no longer a problem, as you can see.” I start. “However, now that this is done. I need your word on something.”
“What is it?”
“Keep Danna off of me.” I say. “I don’t anticipate the hearing going any farther than a few new laws. The Commission put 1968 in the past. Make sure he decided the same.”
“You have my word.”
“Mine too.” They both look me in the eye when they say it.
“Thank you.” I repack the head into the box.
“Speaking of..” Ray goes through his wallet. “Give Jason my thanks.” He puts money on the table.
“Will do.”
Just then, Nicki comes through the front door.
“Good evening, fellas.”
“Nicki.” They nod.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me. I have my own dinner date tonight.” I say.
“Say no more. We are out of your hair.” They stand. As they prepare to leave, one more thought crosses my mind.
“Ray.” I stop. “Jason was a favor. He is no longer under your employment.”
“Understood.”
“It’s good to have you back, Dot.” Morty nods.
The men see themselves out. I feel Nicki hug me from behind.
“Dinner?” Nicki smiles. “Where are we going to dinner?”
“Some place nice. How about the Italian Restaurant in Frisco Fields?”
“Alright.” She looks at the box.
“What’s in the box?”
“Something we need to dispose of.”
Summary: Dottie wakes after being abducted by the Ensanglante cult; Jason Stanwyck and the Louisiana Mafia work to find her; Guest star appearances include Tony Derazio, Vito Scaletta, Lincoln Clay, and more!
I’m not exactly sure where I wake up. I can’t even know if it’s real, I see a chalkboard, desks, and chairs. I look at the ceiling and purple smoke is coming out of a pot. Man. I try to stand but I lose balance. Shake it off, Jetson.
I use a chair to look through the class door’s window. I see a black woman pacing back and forth. She’s talking to herself and wipes her face with the back of her hand.
“Miss! Miss!” I’m trying to get her attention. For such a small distance, I can see her quite well. I know exactly who she is---Katherine Smith-Jetson.
Her hair is slicked back. She’s wearing baggy slacks and a sweater that stops at mid forearm. Now, I hear a baby crying. Where did that carriage come from?
“Miss!” I’m still screaming. The woman is sobbing. She points the gun at the baby. My screams for her get louder and they change:
“Mom! Mom! Please!” She hands her head in defeat. She walks away and puts a gun to her head. Without hesitation, she shoots herself. In the same defeat, I drop my head and get down. I trip and fall on my front.
“Quite a predicament you’ve found yourself in.” A strong southern accent tells me. I get on my knees. When I look up, Tony Derazio is standing in front of me. No way. “Dorothy Jetson. It’s a pleasure.” He extends his hand.
“The pleasure is mine.” I shake it and stand.
“I should think so. You stole my life.”
“Well.” In the moment, I’m ready to argue the notion.
“Numbers guy for the mob, knew all the political contacts. You ran the show from behind the scenes and you love it.” He makes it sound like an insult.
“Didn’t you?”
Mr. Derazio’s straight face turns to a smile and a laugh. I assume it’s because he doesn’t have a good enough answer.
“The only thing you’ve done is make a mess.” He pushes me on my butt by palming my face. What the hell? I felt that. I stand up.
“Whoa, whoa hey.” I feel hands on both my shoulders from behind me. It’s a familiar voice. I look over at the person.
Vito Scaletta walks slightly from me. He starts his cigarette.
“No reason for violence, Tony.” He’s cool as a cucumber. “She stole my life, too. I find it endearing.”
“Vito.”
“It’s been a long time, kid.”
“Scaletta, you’ve always been nothing.” That’s not true. “A fucking carpetbagger.” That name. They called him that when I worked at the docks.
“Anything you’ve ever had you messed it up.”
My head is killing me. The men are saying things but I bend over gripping my head. I feel Vito’s hand on my back. I wave him off.
Their argument is so calm, yet, so cold.
“Vito, you’re hurting your little pet.” Tony says,
“Not my pet. The kids a fucking monster.” Vito chuckles. “You’d be proud of that, if it didn’t mean the end of your empire.” Good point.
Wait, these men aren’t real. These men died at the hands of Lincoln Clay. I need to end this.
I grab the nearest brick. I throw it at Derazio. He reacts and there’s my opening. I knee him in the stomach and beat him with that brick, as merciless as I’ve ever been.
“Alright, Alright, kid.” Vito pulls me to turn around. “That’s it.”
“Vito.” My body is shaking. “I’m not-not a monster.”
“It’s alright. We all are...somehow.”
“I’m loud and I’m vulgar, and I make the tough decisions because somebody has to! I am not a monster!” He’s calm. He grips my forearms.
“I disagree.” He guides me to lie on the floor. “Rest babygirl, you’ll need it.”
When I wake, I hear someone talking. I try to play dead, but she’s refilling that smoke. She refers to us as animals killing each other again. There are two bodies near me. One’s face has been bludgeoned. Her back is turned to me. I’ve got to do something.
My arms wrap around her neck, she tries to struggle. John Donovan once showed me how to snap a neck. How did it go again? Just try it. I make the attempt and feel the crack. The woman stops fighting.
I hope she’s real. It starts smoking so I use the chair to pull it down. What do I do? I dump the hot content and desperately put it out with my hand. I need to get out. How? The door is still opened. It must have been too late.
I’m starting to feel weird again. As I’m going through the hallways, I’m seeing things. I don’t know what’s real. I see Vito, Cassandra, and Burke watching me as I sneak. I see John and Nicki making out in a corner. Dear god, Emmanuel has been hung. I have to get a hold of myself.
I make it to the gymnasium of a school. I hear people talking so I hide. The things they are saying about the Ensanglante. Soon, they disburse. There is something in the middle of the gym. It’s a car on fire. Please don’t tell me they have that smoke in here. There is something in the driver’s seat. It’s burnt to a crisp, but the shape looks like Lincoln Clay.
His head snaps to me and his eyes open. I scream.
I have to get out of here, before he gets me. I rush up the bleachers to a broken window. It’s gonna be quite a fall but I have to go.
When I wake, I’m in a room full of candles. I’m lying down, I’m tied down. Every once in a while people will come in and refill the drug. I plead with them to let me go. They don’t respond. Sometimes, they read to me. They read dark things: sometimes spiritual, sometimes graphic. I hear the words sacrifice and filth, many times.
A woman in white comes in and undoes my ties. I don’t know if she’s real.
“How are you breathing this?” I ask, gingerly.
“I have been obsessed with you for a long time.” Her back is turned to me, and I sit up.
“I haven’t had the pleasure.” My head is killing me.
“The name’s Bonnie.” Bonnie? Should I know that? “We believe that humanity is ultimately doomed, Ms. Jetson.”
“Well, especially when people like you and me exist.” I can’t catch my breath. I stand but I’m weak. Bonnie chuckles.
“Have you ever seen the life light leave someone’s eyes?”
“I have.”
“It’s a beautiful thing. Pure. Intimate.” She turns to me. “My blood gave birth to this city. Owned it. Now all I see is filth where well borns once reigned.” She turns me around and her image shocks me. I fall down.
“You’re looking like you’re peaking, cher. Maybe you should sit a spell.” She may be right. Bonnie continues to talk but I hear gunshots. She rushes out of the room.
Get yourself together. What happened since I got her? Where am I? I was in that classroom. What else happened? There’s blood all over me.
I look at the smoke. It’s still going. Oh no, not again. I’m losing consciousness. Damn’t. Kill me already.
---
The next time I wake, it’s bright. I look over and a man is writing. I know him. It’s hard to speak.
“Good morning.” He says with a friendly smile.
“You inhaled a lot of it. I understand if you are tired.” He says, “Physically, you will be fine.”
Slowly, I start to feel more. Movement comes back to my joints. I can only describe it as the unrefreshed feeling after a long, sweaty nap. My clothes are different. My ankle is wrapped. The man’s face becomes familiar--he’s the mob doctor, and I’m back in the penthouse.
The doctor told me that my friends are coming. They wanted to come together.
“Hey, sleeping beauty.” Nicki greets me, she walks in first.
“H-Hi.” I feel so out of breath. She gets in the bed with me.
“Jason and Ray are on their way in.” She observes my face. “She’s sweating.”
“It will start soon.” The doctor says. What will start soon?
“Okay.”
“Hey, champ.” Ray says, Jason follows. The men pull up chairs around me. The doctor gets the door.
“So, what a week we’ve all had.” Ray starts. “Especially you. What do you remember?”
It all feels like I had a terrible nightmare. I can’t form the words so I slightly shake my head and my eyes start to water.
“Alright.” The doctor stops everyone. “What is your name?”
“Dottie. I remember...being in Empire Bay---Joe. I…” A thought crosses my mind. “How long has it been?”
“Seven days.” I’m horrified. I panic to think of what I could have missed. In life, at work, my poor father. “Wh-who...What h-happened?”
“That’s what we want to know.”
“Dottie, we’re worried we don’t have enough time.” Ray leans forward. “You were on some heavy shit, the doctor says you’re stable. He’s gonna take you off your meds. You will withdrawal.”
“You’re fucking with me.” I push the words out. I look at Jason, he nods to confirm.
“There’s the Dot we all know.”
There’s a silence between us, it’s like they wait for me to speak.
“Dot.” Jason starts, “I’m going to say some words. They should be familiar.” I nod and Nicki holds my hand. “The Blessed. The Filth.” With each word, my heart rate speeds. I can’t stop stuttering.
“We need to know why they wanted you.” He says, “Give me anything.”
“The filth...it uhhh...t-the filth will know their place, blue smoke.” It’s hitting me. I pause. “There was things, I-k-killed...I k-killed in there.” I pause. “I jumped out of a window. I-I-I had to get out of there. Th-the crying...and, the tears and...the blood...a school.”
“Good work, Dottie.” Nicki tells.
“I did good...I-I...did good.” She leads me to rest of my side. “Th-the mind scends. The flesh consumed.” Where did I hear that? I repeat to myself and I remember. “Be careful of the falling sky!” I pop up.
“I know.” Jason nods. I hear Ray say, “Why would they take her to the school. She’s the filth.”
I’ve always placed a premium on maintaining order. If you let the rot set in, eventually it will take hold and destroy everything you’ve built. The only solution is to isolate it, eradicate it before it takes hold.
‘Roy Wilkins, the second Executive Director of the NAACP, was born in St. Louis, MO, on this date in 1901. He was a prominent civil rights activist in the United States from the 1930s to the 1970s. Wilkins was active in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and between 1931 and 1934 was assistant NAACP secretary under Walter Francis White.’
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